Athenaeum Theater (Studo 1) $75

2936 N Southport AVE Chicago, IL 60657

Name of workshop: Advanced Music Improv: The Game of the Song

Instructor name: Mike Descoteaux

Instructor's ensemble: ImprovBoston

Description of workshop: Discover the simple joy and comedic power of ImprovBoston-style game-driven songs. Using two fundamental structures, participants will explore the ridiculous fun that comes through effortlessly heightening the lyrical, emotional, physical, situational and musical patterns that present themselves in the scene leading up to a song. We’ll play with the emotional and reactive scenic building blocks that lead to the best improvised songs. Experience how the success of the song is virtually guaranteed before the first note is even sung (the secret’s in the scene). With over 15 years of singprov directing, teaching and music direction across the country, Mike is thrilled to share his passion for mind-melting musical improv.

About the intructor: Mike Descoteaux is the Artistic Director of ImprovBoston, founder of the Second City's Music Program, former music director of Baby Wants Candy and Co-Creator of Off-Broadway's BLANK! The Musical.

Testimonials from people who have taken this workshop:

“It's such a thrill to spend time learning how to create a structure that allows freedom of creation. Mike is an amazing teacher and human being.”
~Dickie Smothers (of the Smothers Brothers)


“I am grateful, excited and inspired. Musical Improv taught by this guy: Mike Descoteaux. I'm sort of high from the experience. Mind blowing, sheer, blissful. fearless fun.”
~Sheryl, Orlando

“Best training I've done. Intense curriculum and I was able to practice and take away so many practical skills.  The environment was so supportive and fun.”
~David, Boston

“Mike is the best of the best in Musical Improvisation and all musical improvisers should at some point in their careers train with him. In other words, he knows his stuff, so you'd be stupid not to train with him. Mike has a very clear, direct and inspirational teaching style and he will give you specific tools to work with and will challenge you stretch your abilities in a way that will make your musical improv shows feel connected, fun and polished. You will fall in love with musical improv and will never look back.”
~Jennifer, Vancouver

"Mike is fantastic at breaking down the genre of musical improv into basic step by step concepts. He teaches these concepts so effortlessly and makes the whole experience so much fun that you wonder how you ever lived without musical improv."
~Jess, Atlanta

“Mike is a musical genius. On top of that, he is a genius at teaching.”
~Suzanne, North Carolina